OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Andrew
Scheer promised an independent, third-party
investigation of the Rick Dykstra controversy
Wednesday as his own caucus members
wondered aloud how the Ontario MP was
allowed to run in 2015 despite facing serious
allegations of sexual assault.

Kevin Smith, the CEO of the Niagara Health
System, has stepped down as chairman of the
board of a troubled subprime mortgage lender
amid questions over his ability to meet the
demands of his highly paid public sector job
while holding a position with a financial
institution.

A constable who bloodied a man during a wrongful
arrest nearly nine years ago remains on active duty
despite a scathing decision by a judge, who
recently found the officer liable for $28,500 in
damages for assault and malicious prosecution.

The lawyer for a St. Catharines veterinarian
suspended over mistreatment of animals in his
care says his client has received death threats
after videos showing him striking, choking and
slamming cats and dogs appeared in the
Standard and other media outlets.